Alloy Wheel rim corrosion

baz · Feb 28, 2020

I'm just changing the tyre on the rear wheel of my commando and yet again it's really corroded inside
It's an alloy morrad mx type or so I was told by the wheel builder.
Is there anything I can use on the rim that will stop corrosion but won't rot the inner tube or the tyre?
Cheers

Bernhard · Feb 28, 2020

No alloys like salt, worse is magnesium alloy.
Even oxegyn leaves a film on the top of polished / plain alloy. The best thing is to paint them when new using a alloy etching primer before the top coat. Followed by a clear sealing lacquer. This shoud be done all over the wheel especially if magnesium.

Tornado · Feb 28, 2020

In marine conditions sailboat alu alloy is typically anodized and it holds up very well for decades. Typically masts and beams are done. Could that be done for a wheel rim?

Bernhard · Feb 28, 2020

Tornado said:
In marine conditions sailboat alu alloy is typically anodized and it holds up very well for decades. Typically masts and beams are done. Could that be done for a wheel rim?

Yes if it is marine grade anodized !!
But it will have to be done when new, before it's used and the alloy "white powder" corrosion process has started, otherwise, a waste of time.

baz · Feb 28, 2020

Yep maybe I should have done something when it was new
I have rotary wire brushed the inside of the rim and sprayed it with a fine coat of zinc galvanized repair spray that I had handy
See how it holds out or not as the case may be
Cheers

Deets55 · Feb 28, 2020

Baz,
What are you using as a lubricant when mounting new tires? Some of the pastes are caustic on aluminum.

acotrel · Feb 28, 2020

Alodine 1200 and alternatively Iridite 14 are used as anticorrosion treatments on aircraft. Visit your local small airport people who do the maintenance. I think Alodine 1200 is sold by Taubmans. Wear gloves, it contains hydrofluoric acid and chromium.

baz · Feb 28, 2020

Deets55 said:
Baz,
What are you using as a lubricant when mounting new tires? Some of the pastes are caustic on aluminum.

I use baby powder if the tyre won't seat through air pressure alone
It has stainless spokes and chrome plated brass nipples
I use the bike in all weathers and the amount of salt on the roads is taking its toll

baz · Feb 28, 2020

acotrel said:
Alodine 1200 and alternatively Iridite 14 are used as anticorrosion treatments on aircraft. Visit your local small airport people who do the maintenance.

That's interesting cheers

Tornado · Feb 28, 2020

ACF-50 is an anti corrosion spray developed for aircraft and finding use in automotive/motorcycle circles for using on all types of surfaces/panels/electrical connections etc. Has good "creep" so it gets into all tiny voids. Should be OK on rubber. Maybe wipe some onto inside of rim before placing tube/tire?

Bernhard · Feb 28, 2020

baz said:
Yep maybe I should have done something when it was new
I have rotary wire brushed the inside of the rim and sprayed it with a fine coat of zinc galvanized repair spray that I had handy
See how it holds out or not as the case may be
Cheers

Not to put a damper on your actions, but alloy is porous, nevertheless any action is better than no action.

concours · Feb 28, 2020

The stainless spokes & alloy rims are.... Galvanic Corrosion

Tornado · Feb 28, 2020

concours said:
The stainless spokes & alloy rims are.... Galvanic Corrosion

True, but in reality this doesn't seem to effect the alloy in the contact areas to badly. I have many examples of stainless fittings (many at structural points) on alloy in marine environment sailboats that have stayed fine after decades. My Dad (an aerospace composite material engineer) used to explain this by way of the alloy forming an oxide layer which then is quite resistant to further deg.

Staytite · Feb 28, 2020

Just changed the front tyre. Akront rim dated 1998 stainless spokes probably
fitted in 1998 . Alternate between KY jelly and baby powder over last 30 years.
No corrosion. Some people question the items on the shelf in my garage

cliffa · Feb 28, 2020

Ooh - Err, now I hate to introduce another source of carry-on inspired humour, but doesn't it all depend on your nipples? I'm pretty sure that the issue with aluminium and stainless touching is the difference in electro somethings making one sacrificial. I thought using a different material between them reduces the effect?

baz · Feb 28, 2020

On my wheels the nipples are chrome plated brass as far as I can remember
The stainless spoke dosent touch alloy

Scout63 · Feb 28, 2020

Tornado said:
ACF-50 is an anti corrosion spray developed for aircraft and finding use in automotive/motorcycle circles for using on all types of surfaces/panels/electrical connections etc. Has good "creep" so it gets into all tiny voids. Should be OK on rubber. Maybe wipe some onto inside of rim before placing tube/tire?

+1 on the ACF-50.

oldschool · Feb 29, 2020

acotrel said:
Alodine 1200 and alternatively Iridite 14 are used as anticorrosion treatments on aircraft. Visit your local small airport people who do the maintenance. I think Alodine 1200 is sold by Taubmans. Wear gloves, it contains hydrofluoric acid and chromium.

Does this really contain hydrofluoric acid, or did you mean hydrochloric acid?
Hydrofluoric acid is mega-poisonous as well as corrosive and can easily kill you.

kommando · Feb 29, 2020

A lot of Alloy cleaners in the US contain hydrofluoric acid at low concentrations, UK ones go for Phosphoric acid which is safer. Hydrofluoric acid can and does eat through skin and into the bone and carries on.

concours · Feb 29, 2020

oldschool said:
Does this really contain hydrofluoric acid, or did you mean hydrochloric acid?
Hydrofluoric acid is mega-poisonous as well as corrosive and can easily kill you.

Like a chain saw, Oxy-acetylene torch... electricity.....

Alloy Wheel rim corrosion

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